WHERE Should I Practice My Singing?

    This may seem an asinine thing to consider but students can always telling me they don’t know where to practice their singing, and obviously, it is necessary to find a PLACE to practice, in order to practice.  Life moves very quickly for everybody, so this will give you some ideas about how to be “creative” with your practice time.
* YOUR SHOWER - Your shower is a “perfect storm” of amazing vocal practice scenarios.  It’s usually steamy to provide wonderful hydration for your respiratory tract from your nasal passages, down your throat, and into your lungs.  The acoustics are almost always incredible.  You have no clothes on to inhibit your production, and no one else to “bother” while you practice, and you’re standing, which allows you the best production and breathing possible.
* YOUR BATHROOM, PERIOD - This room still has the best acoustics of most any room in your house, AND it has at least one mirror, which is an added bonus.  Again, you can stand at the mirror even if it’s only for a few extra minutes.
* YOUR CAR - This is not necessarily ideal because, obviously, you are sitting, which crushes up your Diaphragm and make connected breathing much more difficult.  However, it is quiet, has solitude, and in these days of Blue Tooth technology, no one is going to think it strange that you are singing or appearing to talk in the auto next to them.  It’s also great because most of us are able to listen to our iPods, or at the very least, listen to practice CDs on the car CD player.
* YOUR KITCHEN - Yes, for those of you who cook or do dishes, the kitchen can be a great place to practice your singing.  You are already standing; you’re possibly moving around; and your arms are relatively free, as well.  Practicing your singing while doing chores such as washing dishes can cut the boredom of the chore, as well as helping your voice.
* YOUR BEDROOM - Your bedroom is usually the place where you feel the most comfortable.  The great thing about this is that you won’t be stressed or tense when you practice.  You do have to be careful not to be SO comfortable that you “slouch” or sit on the edge of your bed.  You need to take advantage of the relaxed atmosphere, stand in front of your mirror, and practice away.
* PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE ELSE THAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE

Maybe you’re lucky enough to have a piano or a stereo system where you can rehearse with a big mirror close by, and you’re disciplined enough to set a practice schedule you’ll maintain faithfully.  If that’s the case, good for you.  If not, try some of the suggestions above.  Thanks for reading!  Check out my website for information at www.SingitForward.  Please send me any questions, comments, and/or suggestions for future blog posts.  Sing it forward!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Basic Music Theory - 1st Post - Notes, Rests, and Note Particulars

Image
          It is really important for a singer, even an amazingly gifted singer, to understand basic Music Theory.    That doesn’t mean you have to be any kind of virtuoso or study music theory for dozens of years but it does mean you need to study some fundamental or elemental aspects of theoretical concepts.   Your first “basic” lesson is below.   Stay tuned for more “installments” in the future.   Here goes: •             NOTES AND RESTS - Melodies in music are represented through patterns of “Notes” and “Rests”.   Here is a chart of the most common types of Notes and Rests: The Quarter Note is, by far, the most common type of Note and Rest but each of these notes and rests are important, universal, and frequently-occurring.   You DO need to know, however, that the values you see here CAN change, depending on the Time Signature (s...
Read more

Vocal Quirks - Why do I Sometimes Yawn, Hiccup, Burp, or Crack?

When we begin singing, sometimes the very strangest things can happen. You may start yawning or burping or getting the hiccups or even hear your voice crack.   Why do these things happen, especially when you first begin singing?   Let’s explore some ideas…             Why Would Singing Make Me Yawn?   So, it’s true confession time.   I have always been told and believed that we yawn because our brains tell our lungs we need more Oxygen and so, initiate a deeper inhalation.   The yawn DOES cause a deeper breath and it IS a great way to practice deeper, voluntary breathing.   However, evidently the REAL reason we yawn is still for the brain but it is actually a “thermoregulating device”, which is to say the swift intake of air acts to normalize the temperature of your brain in the same way you might use a fan to automatically come on in your garage, if the temperature reaches a cer...
Read more

Basic Music Theory - #3 - Rhythms and Putting it All Together

Image
So, here is the last installment in this beginning set of Music Theory posts.   I know I’ve covered an awful lot in these last 3 posts but I promise you, if you’ll devote a little consistent time to learning it, the benefits you’ll receive will far outweigh your small time investment.   These key components of Music Theory make up the essential underpinnings of composed music.   The next set of Music Theory posts will cover different types of Chords, Scales, and Chord Progressions but until then, enjoy these amazing pillars of Music Theory and send me any questions you still have once you’re done.   Here you go: •             RHYTHMS AND TEMPOS - I try to explain the “Beat” of music or the “Rhythm” like our own heartbeat.   It is a regular, constant “pulse” (literally).   Most of the time this “Beat” or “Pulse” is what you dance to, tap your foot to, or clap along with. ...
Read more